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2022 BMW 2 Series First Drive


If forced to choose the real “Advanced Driving Machine” from BMW carBMW’s lineup over the past few years, 2 The Coupe line will always be at the top of our list. It fulfills the core desires of enthusiasts in that it is small, light and rear-wheel drive, equipped with a spectacular sounding inline six and offers a manual transmission option. Classic, slim BMW proportions only sweeten the deal for BMW enthusiasts. Even as the old 2 Series is singing its goodbye tune, we still praise it.

That means this new 2022 BMW 2 Series Coupe has a lot to live for. Like fast become a tradition at BMWHowever, the next generation of the much-loved car before it no longer holds the status quo. The new 2 Series is significantly larger, has controversial styling, and no longer offers the manual transmission on the 230i and M240i models.

In short, this new 2 Series Coupe is a mature, mature version of the previous child car model. This applies to both the character and its size. Compare old 230i to the new one, and the 2022 car is 4.3 inches longer, 2.6 inches wider and 1.0 inches lower. To take you back even further, this 2 Series Coupe is almost identical to the BMW 3 Series Coupe E90. That’s great for anyone longing for an old 3 Series, but less so if you’re looking for a unique little one. luxury car. The 2 Series Coupe is no longer the case.

BMW took advantage of this transformational opportunity to test a new style direction for the 2 Series and the like new M cars, the photos do not give you the full picture. The roughness of its sharp, straight edges gives the design a different look and personality than any BMW in recent memory. This is not a round, ornate coupe like 4 Series, and the strong, compact character of the old car is also gone. Diagonals, boxy fenders and straight lines prevail. You won’t mistake it for this or that shrunken. It’s the new 2 Series Coupe, and you’ll love it or hate it for its unique touches – the odd kidney grille with active shutters that mimic traditional crossbars, the oddly stretched tail lights and the Classic sign.

One aspect of the car that will attract everyone’s attention is the new interior. It is similar to 3 Series is more expensive in design, using high-grade materials throughout and completely luxurious. The previous 2 Series severely lacked BMW’s latest technology in its last few years, but that’s all been remedied for 2022 with the latest tech. iDrive 7 . infotainment system and bigger screens – a 10.25-inch infotainment system and 12.3-inch digital cluster are optional on top of the standard 8.8-inch infotainment and analog gauges. You can add a head-up display for the first time in the 2 Series, along with a full suite of driver assistance systems and more if you want to make the car an everyday driver. more good.

However, don’t think that the larger exterior dimensions will make the 2 Series more passenger-friendly. It’s actually a tighter squeeze in the backseat with legroom reduced by 0.8 inches and headroom slashed by a full one and a half inches. Thanks for the lower overall height for that.

As the 2 Series increased in size, BMW also increased engine power. The base 230i is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 255 horsepower and 294 pound-feet of torque. That’s 7 horsepower and 36 pound-feet more than the previous model, and it results in a 5.5-second 0-60 mph time (same as before). Meanwhile, the M240i xDrive gets an upgrade with the same 3.0-liter inline turbocharger, producing 382 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque found in M340i and many other BMW models. Its 0-60 time falls in 4.1 seconds.

We drove both models, so let’s start with the entry-level 230i. For one, it barely feels like a “basic” car to drive. In fact, this diminutive 230i will be the sneaky choice for M240i xDrive enthusiasts due to its 352-pound lower curb weight and handling talent that’s not to be outdone by its M-branded sibling. There’s a manual transmission option, and both the base and M Sport versions get BMW’s excellent eight-speed automatic transmission. The 230i is also the only rear-wheel drive 2 Series available at launch, as the original M240i will only have xDrive. BMW says a rear-wheel drive version will launch next year alongside the xDrive 230i.

Dynamically, the 230i takes advantage of all the changes that BMW has made to this new generation of the 2 Series. The front rails increase by 2.8 inches and the rear by 1.9 inches. The camber is dialed more strongly. New aluminum wheel bearings help save weight. Meanwhile, the optional M Sport Package for the 230i adds BMW’s Variable Sport steering, a stiffer but still passive M Sport suspension, and larger wheel and tire packages. Dynamic Handling Pack adds bigger and better summer tires, bigger M Sport brake and M Sport rear differential with electric adjustment. The car we drove comes equipped with both of these packages, and while we can’t say how the base 230i will compare, this setup can make the little coupe dance around a canyon road. .

However, it dances to a slightly different beat than the old 2 Series did. The wider track and longer wheelbase are immediately noticeable and offer a much more stable feel than the old 2 Series did in both acceleration and straight-line handling. It’s not without its mischief, though, as the stout 294 pound-feet of torque is enough to swing the rear end without much effort in Sport Traction mode. Neither the chassis, the brakes nor the acceleration feel second-hand at the 230i with all M packages fitted. We can’t say the same for other small luxury cars like Audi A3 or Mercedes-Benz A-Class, because they are more tranquil and gentler until you come in S3 and AMG . Variations, corresponding. You can drive a fully loaded 230i M-load today and have an absolute blast with nothing to do with the car – even the four-cylinder engine sings a sweet tune in the cabin.

And then there’s the incredibly fast M240i xDrive. According to BMW, it is only 0.1 seconds to 60 mph slower than the first version M2 Competition, and we didn’t doubt it for a moment. The M240i and its 382 hp will absolutely glide over a mountain road with the speeds we’ve come to expect from the M2. Its chassis has even more stuff to it than the 230i. BMW adds struts to support the front axle, adaptive dampers (choose between Comfort and Sport) and larger summer tires. In addition, all additional M items that are optional on the 230i become standard equipment on the M240i.

The good storage bag on top, plus extra protection for the all-wheel drive, turns the M240i into a rock that can’t be shaken through and out of corners. The chassis leans slightly behind and takes you through winding roads, and the massive all-wheel drive will help you get to the other side with ease every time. We are reminded of New M3 and M4 when it comes to steering feel, as turning around isn’t nearly as natural at first. It quickly becomes normal after some corners, and we appreciate that compared to many of the heavy steering racks on today’s performance cars. The eight-speed automatic works with swift efficiency, encouraging us to use the surprisingly small and flexible paddle shifters, although the automatic programming is always done right out of the box.

This small coupe is easily our favorite take on BMW’s velvety-smooth number six, and while it could be even more enjoyable with rear-wheel drive, the all-wheel drive version The rear-biased full-time 4 wheeler has been very well done on the track (with a few caveats). BMW dropped us off at the Heat Club with some purple M240i xDrives – yes, one of the factory exteriors colour purple option. Sorry, Thundernight Metallic. While acceleration and traction are excellent on the track, we could have used stiffer brake pedals and stiffer platforms to keep all aspects in check. That said, what would make the M240i a better race car is likely going to hurt it on the street where its forgiving suspension makes everyday driving more than it should. Acceptable. On the plus side, the wider track and longer wheelbase help a lot to inspire confidence in longer sweep cars. Just don’t expect full-M performance on the track with this M Sport endeavor. It was amusing for a few laps, but the 2 Series’ track potential has yet to be fully realized.

All the improvements that BMW ensured on the outside look extremely aggressive, but the new 2 Series has us ripping it off in a nostalgic way, as it goes even further than that. 1 mini series This model has been around since the late 2000s. Everything done to make it handle better, run smoother and go faster comes with compromises. And while the 2 Series is technically better in every way than before, we don’t lose sight of the improvement. It’s heavier – 108 pounds for the 230i and 209 pounds for the M240i xDrive. Its small car feel is toned down in favor of stability. And it’s only slightly more polished than the rough and sometimes ragged 2 Series, itself considerably more polished than the rougher and often ragged line. first Series. This new car still has the charm, but not the charm of driving as before.

Even with some compromises in the pursuit of performance, the new 2 Series is one of our favorite current BMWs and one of the best-driving compact luxury cars in the world. We’d say it’s the best in its class, but it’s the only car in its class. While there are other luxury cars in the 2 Series’ price range, they compete more directly with 2 Series Gran Coupe, a four-door front-wheel drive car that has nothing in common with the Coupe. For other two-door cars, both Toyota GR Supra and Mustang are decent alternatives at this price point, starting at $37,345 for the 230i and $49,545 for the M240i xDrive. However, Mustang will never rise to the luxury of the 2 Series, while Supra and its BMW spare trunk interior has only two seats. Again, you’re looking at alternatives rather than competitors.

BMW has made some turns and misses through the end of the year, and while the 2 Series isn’t our home run version, it’s a safe brace off the wall. And regardless of your opinion on styling, we can still say that the 2 Series is the subcompact luxury car for driving enthusiasts to drive home.

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